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Scabies Mites (Sarcoptes scabei)
- Called mange in animals -
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Summary:
Scabies is a skin condition caused by a tiny mite that
burrows under the skin. Scabies can be extremely
irritating and very contagious. Fortunately, there
are medicated lotions that will control the
burrowing mites once a correct diagnosis is made.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
my resume
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Scabies
is caused by a mite
Scabies is
a skin ailment caused by a tiny mite (0.2-0.4 mm ~
1/100-1/50", see drawing at right) that burrows
under the skin causing an allergic reaction and
intense itching. This allergic reaction and itching
may not be confined only to areas of mite
infestation but can even spread to parts of the body
that the mite has not yet reached.
Animal
forms of this ailment, called sarcoptic
mange (see What is
Animal Mange?), are caused by the same mite
(but a different "race") and there is a small chance
of transfer between, for example, a dog and a human.
Do not use products intended to treat sarcoptic
mange in animals to self-treat human scabies because
these medications can be very toxic to us.
common names and misspelling:
scabbies; itch mite; mange (in animals)
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Scabies mite,
highly magnified
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Scabies
is very contagious
Human
scabies occurs worldwide without regard to class or
economic status -- in other words anyone can get
scabies. While scabies mites do not transmit
diseases, they do cause serious skin lesions,
irritation and scarring (see photo
of scabies infestation). Scabies is very
contagious. Mites are generally transferred by close
person to person contact such as touching, shaking
of hands, sexual contact and so forth.
Symptoms of scabies infestation
Suspect
cases of human scabies should be confirmed by skin
scrapings that are examined under magnification to
look for the mites. Once confirmed by a
dermatologist scabies can be treated with topically
applied lotions that contain insecticide. You should
not try to self-diagnosis and treat scabies. This is
a serious, contagious condition that should be
treated by the medical community.
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Treating scabies infections
All stages of
the scabies mite live within burrows just under the
skin. Therefore treatment usually involves medicated
lotions applied to the skin. Repellents are not
effective against scabies mites. Also, since scabies
mites do not live long off their host insecticidal
treatment of bedding and other household articles is
generally not needed. However, bedding and clothing
should be laundered in hot water.
Suspected
infestations should be examined by a doctor as there
are a number of skin conditions that resemble scabies.
Confirmed cases can be treated with one of several
medicated lotions. Common scabies lotions are Kwell
(active ingredient = lindane), Elimite (active
ingredient = permethrin), and Eurax (active ingredient
= crotamiton).
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
unbiased information for solving common insect and
mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD,
 , email:
[email protected]
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statements as well.
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